Elliotte Friedman dropped a massive nugget of information regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs’ trade deadline strategy: Brad Treliving is seeking a first-round pick for winger Bobby McMann.
On the surface, asking for a first-rounder for a 29-year-old pending UFA sounds ambitious. However, when you peel back the layers of the current market, it starts to make sense. McMann isn’t just a rental; he is a “unicorn” asset for contending teams. He carries a minuscule $1.35 million cap hit, and if the Leafs retain 50%, that drops to a laughably low $675k.
For teams up against the salary cap ceiling—which is basically every contender—McMann represents high-end finishing ability for league-minimum cost. The problem? Friedman notes that the logical suitors (Colorado, Dallas, Edmonton, Minnesota, Vegas) have already moved their 2026 first-round picks.
Why The Market Justifies The Price
The comparison to the Kiefer Sherwood trade is the perfect baseline. If Sherwood can command two second-rounders and a prospect, McMann’s ceiling warrants a higher tier. I would argue McMann possesses a purer finishing touch and a more physical forechecking presence that is built for playoff hockey.
When you look at a team like the Oilers or the Avalanche, they don’t need another superstar; they need a guy who can slide onto the second line, grind in the corners, and pot 20 goals without needing the puck on his stick for 60 seconds. That is exactly who Bobby McMann is.
The Leafs are in a position of power here. They don’t have to trade him. He helps them win now. This allows Treliving to set an exorbitant price and see who blinks first.
My Expert Insight: The Likely Outcome
While the “first-round pick” is the sticker price, my gut tells me Treliving knows he might not get it from the teams that actually need McMann the most, simply because they don’t have the draft capital to give.
I believe the Leafs could end up settling for a “First-Round Equivalent.” This looks like a high second-round pick bundled with a legitimate, NHL-ready prospect. This actually serves the Leafs better than a late first-rounder in 2026. They need help now or assets that can be flipped quickly.
There is also a fascinating “have your cake and eat it too” scenario here. The Leafs could trade McMann for premium assets at the deadline, let him chase a Cup elsewhere, and then re-sign him as a free agent on July 1st. Given his age and late breakout, McMann likely values fit and comfort, and Toronto has been the place where he finally made it.
Whatever happens, the bidding war is real. McMann fits literally anywhere in a lineup, and at $675k (retained), he is the most valuable currency at the deadline: a cheap impact player.
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The post The Leafs’ Bold Gamble: Why Bobby McMann Is Worth The First-Round Ask appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
